Staff PD:

We DO NOT meet as a staff this week.

E.A.G.L.E Pledge Challenge:

As we transition to the Emory Academy of Global Leadership and Empowerment, we are asking our students to write a pledge. Please share THIS DOCUMENT with your students. You may take class time to ask your students to work on this or you may present it to them to work at home. Please collect submitted pledges and give them to me no later than Sept 21. Our Student Council members will be working to develop a DRAFT. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Slideshow Advertisement from Student Council President and Vice President

Report Card Window Open:

Here are a few reminders:

·       Assessment and Report Card document which is designed to answer all of your questions

·         Remember all report cards this year will use 8.5 x 11 paper and are 2 sided with grades on BOTH sides.

Field Trip Calendar:

By November 2nd, please enter, to the best of your ability, all your field trips for the 2018-19 school year. If you are unsure about the date, please enter a placeholder and update the calendar as appropriate. Use the calendar linked here Field Trip Calendar

After Nov 2, I will share the calendar with the District Office team. Linked here  Field Trip BP/AR is the SBUSD Board Policy and Administrative Regulations governing our field trips. Thank you to those of you who have already begun entering trips!

October 12th Fountas and Pinnell Calibration Release:

*Visit room 24 with team and TOSA Elma

*Identify students who might be comfortable with a “fishbowl” Fountas and Pinnell Assessment

*Elma model assessment/teachers score

*Debrief

* If time, repeat

Schedule

9:10-10:10 Shelly, Dave, Erin, Patty 

10:25-11:25 Laura, Georgina, Maria, Melinda, Jeanne

12:15-1:15 Connie, Karina, Christy, Rebecca, Monica

1:25-2:25 Angelica, Don

Teacher 1 Hour Prep/Planning Schedule:

Please deliver and pick up your students to classroom 6 and pick them up there at the end of your planning time. Please be mindful of the noise your students make during the transition. Carrie Wahamaki is in room 6 and teaching STEM and/or Visual and Performing Arts. Please let me know if you have any feedback about the process. 

• These are ENRICHMENT classes–no grades on report card
• VAPA and STEM teachers are NOT teaching classroom science.  Science remains a core content area to be taught by classroom teachers.  Instead, STEM teachers are teaching design, engineering, robotics, coding, etc.

Click here to view the schedule

TC Test Prep Unit/Smarter Balance Interim Assessments Grades 3-6:

I feel like we always get to March and think, I wish I began using the Smarter Balance Interim Assessments (or this past year) the TC Test Prep Unit much earlier in the year. Here is your reminder to think about how you might use these resources/ provide access to our students more strategically earlier this school year. Let me know if you have any questions/need support accessing these tools.

Dreambox:

You should have received a welcome email from Dreambox. Dreambox is live and ready for your students to login to. Ideally, students access Dreambox for 60 minutes or 5 lessons per week. There is a login link on the School Links page. The District is not immediately providing professional development. There are written and video links available after you login which may help get you started. (across the top my flexpd and resources). You may check in with me, your colleagues or complete a Teacher TOSA request for additional support. Our Math Labsite is scheduled for the week after fall break (Grades TK-5 only), we may learn more then. The District plans PD in the future to support reports/more sophisticated implementation questions.

Donation Request Reminder:

Sept 17 Blue Slips at Lunch

Sept 18  Shared Leadership/Emory Staff UN

October 9 and 11 Math Labsite Grades TK-5

October 10th  Staff PD

October 12^th Cindy Wagner/Principals at Emory and will visit classrooms

October 31    Costume Parade

November 1  SBUSD Board of Trustees Visit Emory

Special greetings to Adrianna, Mileidee, Angela and other Emory family members who still read the blog 🙂

Quote of the Week:

Hope your weekends were fabulous! There is a lot of good stuff below. Take it as it comes, do your best and hang in there.

Staff Professional Development:

We DO meet as a staff this week. Elma will be facilitating a Fountas and Pinnell calibration session. Details to follow via email.

IXL/Dreambox:

Our IXL subscription expires on Sept 13th. You all should have received welcome emails from Dreambox. Dreambox is live and ready for your students to login to. I will send an email update as I do not know the student login formula (if YOU know it-please share it with the team). Ideally, students access Dreambox for 60 minutes or 5 lessons per week. There is a login link on the School Links page. The District is not immediately providing professional development. There are written and video links available after you login which may help get you started. (across the top my flexpd and resources). You may check in with me, your colleagues or complete a Teacher TOSA request for additional support. Our Math Labsite is scheduled for the week after fall break (Grades TK-5 only), we may learn more then. The District plans PD in the future to support reports/more sophisticated implementation questions.

E.A.G.L.E Pledge Challenge:

As we transition to the Emory Academy of Global Leadership and Empowerment, we are asking our students to write a pledge. I will announce this to our students at our Flag Salute on Monday. Please see THIS DOCUMENT ,which was created at Shared Leadership on Tuesday, with your students. You may take class time to ask your students to work on this or you may present it to them to work at home. Please collect submitted pledges and give them to me no later than Sept 21. Our Student Council members will be working to develop a DRAFT. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Active Shooter Drill- October 5 8:30-?:

As a campus, we need to be prepared for emergencies of all kinds in order to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and visitors.  Being prepared requires the participation of site leaders, teachers, office staff, and support employees. You are invited to join our school team at an Active Shooter Drill on Friday, October 5 at 8:30 AM at Imperial Beach Charter School.  The drill will be a realistic scenario led by law enforcement and will be followed by a working lunch to debrief and discuss our learning. Please let me know via email by Sept 19th, if you would like to join us. 

Study Trips:

**Update- I have heard from a few of you with concerns and have sought clarification for Executive Team. Please do your very best to schedule all trips that you are able to by the deadline. Please check in with me about anything you would like to schedule past the deadline and I will do my very best to help us enrich our program for students. 

At my Leadership meeting on Wednesday, we were given a deadline that all Study Trips/Field Trips need to be planned/scheduled for the year by September 28^th– which for you, means Sept. 21^st.  (See below for info given to us) Then I am to submit the calendar by Sept. 28^th.

o   Calendar for planned Study Trips submitted to the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Leadership and Superintendent by September 28, 2018 (next year one month earlier)

o   Do not schedule study trips during CAASSP (3^rd-6^th) or ELPAC testing

o   Study trips must “supplement and enrich the classroom learning experience, lead to increased student achievement, and foster student engagement.” (BP/AR)

Updated Emory DRAFT Mission Statement:

Apex Leadership Campaign/Fun Run:

Thank you for your support of our Apex Fundraiser and Leadership Campaign. Here are the links to the videos for you to show to your students each day. Please show the daily video prior to Cool Kyle’s visit. password apexteam

Lesson 4 – Overcome – https://vimeo.com/277666466 (Monday, September 10th)

Lesson 5 – Next Level – https://vimeo.com/277666479 (Tuesday, September 11th

Lesson 6 – Grateful – https://vimeo.com/277666480 (Wednesday, September 12th)

Fun Run Schedule Sept 14

8:10-9:30 Leon, Martinez, Shultz, Lobato, Acosta, Carson, Hueso

9:30-10:50 Hopkins, Seubert, Sherwood, Hernandez, Castellanos, Ochoa, Kinnamon

10:50-12:10 Perkins, Pehrson, Brizendine, Goulding, Major, Molina, Valdivia

School Site Council:

Congratulations and thank you to Angelica, Erika, Dene and Eunice who will represent us on the Emory School Site Council.

Library Transition:

We have the opportunity to apply for an $8,000 grant from the District to transition the Library or other campus space into a “maker space” which Teresa would facilitate.As a result, we are considering returning to every other week library schedules. With the addition of the new classroom libraries, it seems as though we may be less reliant on weekly visits. Please share any feedback that you have with me regarding a change to the library schedule or your interest in being a part of the “maker space” design.  

Imagine Learning:

Your students may log into Imagine Learning TODAY in your classrooms. All Emory students are entered. We are waiting for clarification from the District regarding the password re-set. Thank you for your patience. For now, all students may login via the google login. 

Student Login grades Tk-1:

user name:birthday

password:birthday

Student Login grades 2-6:

google login

Laura Acosta is again taking the lead with supporting Imagine Learning please let her know if you have any questions.

Teachers can log in to Imagine Learning by using their SBUSD email and selecting “Forgot Password” to set up a new one. 

Imagine Learning recommends that students access IL for 100 minutes per week to maximize the program benefits.

Teacher 1 Hour Prep/Planning Schedule:

Personal planning begins this week! Please deliver and pick up your students to classroom 6 and pick them up there at the end of your planning time. Please be mindful of the noise your students make during the transition. Carrie Wahamaki is in room 6 and teaching STEM and/or Visual and Performing Arts. Please let me know if you have any feedback about the process. 

• These are ENRICHMENT classes–no grades on report card
• VAPA and STEM teachers are NOT teaching classroom science.  Science remains a core content area to be taught by classroom teachers.  Instead, STEM teachers are teaching design, engineering, robotics, coding, etc.

Click here to view the schedule

TC Test Prep Unit/Smarter Balance Interim Assessments Grades 3-6:

I feel like we always get to March and think, I wish I began using the Smarter Balance Interim Assessments (or this past year) the TC Test Prep Unit much earlier in the year. Here is your reminder to think about how you might use these resources/ provide access to our students more strategically earlier this school year. Let me know if you have any questions/need support accessing these tools.

Emory School Calendar:

You received this calendar via email. However it is linked here. It contains many important dates throughout the school year (TCRWP Visits, School Events etc). Please review and let me know if you have any questions/concerns.

Emory School Calendar

Donation Request Reminder:

Sept 12 Staff PD

Sept 13 Dr. McNamara visits all Emory classrooms 8:45-9:30

Sept 14 Apex Fun Run

Sept 17 Blue Slips at Lunch

Sept 18  Shared Leadership/Emory Staff UN

October 9 and 11 Math Labsite Grades TK-5

October 12^th Cindy Wagner/Principals at Emory and will visit classrooms

Quote of the Week:

Staff PD:

We DO meet as a staff this week.  Room 23 at 1:45. We must complete the mandated reporter training. First and Second grades will finalize updates to their ELD groups. Other grades will participate in a Restorative Circle.

Emory School Calendar:

You received this calendar via email. However it is linked here. It contains many important dates throughout the school year (TCRWP Visits, School Events etc). Please review and let me know if you have any questions/concerns.

Emory School Calendar

PLC Time:

We may miss the opportunity to collaborate with our grade level teams during the school day, however, we now have a greater opportunity for vertical collaboration. As a reminder, you are required to collaborate with your team each minimum day that we do not have a Staff Meeting; District PLC or designated planning time. Please plan to collaborate minimally from 1:40-2:40. Contractually, 1/3 of your PLC time may be principal directed. Please look to the blog and bulletin for information about Principal directed PLC time. As always, thank you for your hard work on behalf of our students.

Teacher Evaluation:

I have contacted all certificated staff who will be evaluated this school year. If you have not heard from me, you WILL NOT be evaluated this year. 

Teacher 1 Hour Prep/Planning Schedule:

We officially have a three year contract! As a result, you will have one hour per week of personal planning time. Also, we will have a new staff member joining us. (I do not, yet, know the name of our new teammate). This person will be setting up classroom 6 and teaching STEM and/or Visual and Performing Arts. I received very specific direction from the District regarding the design of our schedule (included below). I am sure that you will love having time for planning, unfortunately, this opportunity will disrupt your daily schedule. The District has let me know that we will have a teacher ready to release you on Tuesday, Sept 4^th. You should expect to bring your students to classroom 6 and pick them up there at the end of your planning time.

Library Transition:

We have the opportunity to apply for an $8,000 grant from the District to transition the Library or other campus space into a “maker space” which Teresa would facilitate. As a result, we are considering returning to every other week library schedules. With the addition of the new classroom libraries, it seems as though we may be less reliant on weekly visits. Please share any feedback that you have with me regarding a change to the library schedule or your interest in being a part of the “maker space” design.  

Imagine Learning:

Imagine Learning is available for Emory students. To login the students should use their chromebook email address login (ex jennifer.grondek1821@sbusd.net) their password is their student number. Laura Acosta is again taking the lead with supporting Imagine Learning.

Teachers can log in to Imagine Learning by using their SBUSD email and selecting “Forgot Password” to set up a new one. 

Imagine Learning recommends that students access IL for 100 minutes per week to maximize the program benefits.

CyberSmarts Week:

• District-wide “CyberSmarts Week,” is Aug 27 – Aug 31, 2018.
• CyberSmarts agenda website at http://tinyurl.com/becybersmart  for your classroom instructional planning.

Fountas and Pinnell Assessment Data entered by August 31:

From the SBUSD Assessment Manual–using Fountas and Pinnell teachers will determine reading level of all students in order to support independent reading at their level. Using Illuminate, report Instructional Level (shows what students are working on) and Independent level, and collect information on accuracy, fluency, comprehension, and genre on Instructional Level. It is ideal to test to Hard in order to ensure students are not actually reading at a higher level. Use of the WORD LIST is not considered a level, and is used to determine a starting point for students without prior scores.

Fountas and Pinnell suggest to start with student choice of genre for each assessment session. Alternate fiction/non-fiction within the session. Next round, allow for student choice again and alternate.

Morning, Recess and Dismissal Duty:

Thank you for your hard work keeping our students safe before, during and after school. As a reminder, on the days when you have duty, please be sure to be at your duty on time. If you have recess or after school duty, please begin to prepare your students and yourself a few minutes early so that you are on the blacktop at the very start of recess. For after school dismissal, please, again prepare so that you are in the dismissal area within 1 minute of the bell ringing. What you are doing in your classrooms is critically important and sometimes it is hard to walk away from an engaging topic or even a parent who would like your time. However, ensuring that our students are well supervised is critical to their safety. Please let me know if you need any support in getting out to duty on time.

Apex Fun Run:

 Please email me if you have a preferred time for your daily “Cool Kyle” visit. 

Emory Newsletter:

Below is en email from parent volunteer, Sonya Vargas.I am Ms. Sonya for those that may not know me yet.  I volunteered to do the Emory Newsletter last year, and will continue doing it this year as well.  The school season has just started, but lots of awesome things are already happening at Emory!  These events and activities are what the parents and kids enjoy reading about.  I discovered last year, that the kids really enjoyed the newsletter because they would see their name in it, or their friends name in it.  We have already had some exciting things happen within the school.  I know that Ms. Molina’s 6th grade class did an archaeological dig.  This could be something that could be in the Newsletter.  I plan on stopping by for the 4th grade Living Library to interview some of the kiddo’s on their project.  The School Student Council will have new members soon, I would love to come to a meeting and find out what is in store for this year! *Wink, Wink*.  I would like to give an opportunity to all the staff to share about your class.  But if you have time and you wish to submit a message about or to your class, or if you have an questions, my email address is:  savargas01@gmail.com.  The deadline to submit anything will be October 12 2018.  Thank you for your time.

Letters for Honor Flight:

Staff PD:

We DO NOT meet as a staff this week. Our next staff meeting is August 29th. This Wednesday, August 22nd, Jen Oliveira will present a PD about Wixie at 1:45 in room 23 and Rob Well will present a PD about Restorative Circles at 1:45 in room 19. 

Breakout Box Reward Parties:

Letters for Honor Flight:

Chromebook Survey from Jen Oliveira:

Chromebooks use before school/at lunch:

To avoid damage to devices, Chromebooks may not be used before school or during recess/lunch. Excepting use that is directly supervised by a classroom teacher (in a classroom). Students may visit the library if they need access to technology.

CyberSmarts Week:

• District-wide “CyberSmarts Week,” is Aug 27 – Aug 31, 2018.
• CyberSmarts agenda website at http://tinyurl.com/becybersmart  for your classroom instructional planning.

Fountas and Pinnell Assessment Data entered by August 31:

From the SBUSD Assessment Manual–using Fountas and Pinnell teachers will determine reading level of all students in order to support independent reading at their level. Using Illuminate, report Instructional Level (shows what students are working on) and Independent level, and collect information on accuracy, fluency, comprehension, and genre on Instructional Level. It is ideal to test to Hard in order to ensure students are not actually reading at a higher level. Use of the WORD LIST is not considered a level, and is used to determine a starting point for students without prior scores.

Fountas and Pinnell suggest to start with student choice of genre for each assessment session. Alternate fiction/non-fiction within the session. Next round, allow for student choice again and alternate.

Emory Newsletter:

Below is en email from parent volunteer, Sonya Vargas.I am Ms. Sonya for those that may not know me yet.  I volunteered to do the Emory Newsletter last year, and will continue doing it this year as well.  The school season has just started, but lots of awesome things are already happening at Emory!  These events and activities are what the parents and kids enjoy reading about.  I discovered last year, that the kids really enjoyed the newsletter because they would see their name in it, or their friends name in it.  We have already had some exciting things happen within the school.  I know that Ms. Molina’s 6th grade class did an archaeological dig.  This could be something that could be in the Newsletter.  I plan on stopping by for the 4th grade Living Library to interview some of the kiddo’s on their project.  The School Student Council will have new members soon, I would love to come to a meeting and find out what is in store for this year! *Wink, Wink*.  I would like to give an opportunity to all the staff to share about your class.  But if you have time and you wish to submit a message about or to your class, or if you have an questions, my email address is:  savargas01@gmail.com.  The deadline to submit anything will be October 12 2018.  Thank you for your time.

WILLIAMS GUIDELINES:

Please see the guidelines below. Let me know if you have any questions or need clarification.

• Hand sanitizer AND handi-wipes that say “keep out of reach of reach of children” must be stored must be stored high or in a locked cabinet.
• Do not use Lysol wipes to clean. These are anti-microbial and should not be used in classrooms.
• Many hand lotions have these same warnings and must be stored accordingly.
• Liquid paper also says “keep out of reach of children” on the label and cannot be left out on teacher’s desk or other places in the classroom.
• Cleaning products must be stored in a locked cabinet not under the sink if it does not lock.
• Power cords cannot be used as permanent outlets and extension cords should not be plugged into power strips.
• Electrical panels must have a clearance of three feet all around. Please do not put any materials in front or around them.
• If you have paper cutters they must be in a locked area and should have a lock on the handle.

Amazon:

As a reminder, the SBUSD purchasing department WILL NOT allow us to reimburse any Amazon purchases.

Morning, Recess and Dismissal Duty:

Thank you for your hard work keeping our students safe before, during and after school. As a reminder, on the days when you have duty, please be sure to be at your duty on time. If you have recess or after school duty, please begin to prepare your students and yourself a few minutes early so that you are on the blacktop at the very start of recess. For after school dismissal, please, again prepare so that you are in the dismissal area within 1 minute of the bell ringing. What you are doing in your classrooms is critically important and sometimes it is hard to walk away from an engaging topic or even a parent who would like your time. However, ensuring that our students are well supervised is critical to their safety. Please let me know if you need any support in getting out to duty on time.

Apex Fun Run:

The Apex Campaign has been re-scheduled to September. They were no longer available for the spring dates which we selected. The ONLY dates which they had available are Sept 4-14th. More details to follow. Please email me if you have a preferred time for your daily “Cool Kyle” visit. 

Upcoming Dates:

Wixie Training K-2 (optional)                Aug 22

Restorative Practices (optional)             Aug 22

Staff Professional Development            Aug 29

Cybersmarts Week                                    Aug 27-31

Fountas and Pinnell Data entered         Aug 31

PTA Bingo Night                                        September 5

Apex Fun Run                                            Sept 14

Quote of the Week:

Staff Meeting:

We DO meet as a staff at 1:45 in room 23. Please bring your laptops. Elma will be here with some information about the Fountas and Pinnell Assessment, we will discuss the transition to the Emory Academy for Global Leadership and Empowerment and we will watch the mandated reporter training.

Dr. McNamara’s Visit August 15th @1:00-1:45:

Dr. McNamara plans to visit Emory 6 times this year. She has let Principals know that on each of her visits she plans to visit each classroom. I’m not sure what this will look like on August 15th.

ELD Groups:

Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we begin our grade level ELD rotations on Monday. We are seeking an Impact teacher to support ELD and provide small group reading instruction. I will keep you posted about our progress.

Morning, Recess and Dismissal Duty:

Thank you for your hard work keeping our students safe before, during and after school. As a reminder, on the days when you have duty, please be sure to be at your duty on time. If you have recess or after school duty, please begin to prepare your students and yourself a few minutes early so that you are on the blacktop at the very start of recess. For after school dismissal, please, again prepare so that you are in the dismissal area within 1 minute of the bell ringing. What you are doing in your classrooms is critically important and sometimes it is hard to walk away from an engaging topic or even a parent who would like your time. However, ensuring that our students are well supervised is critical to their safety. Please let me know if you need any support in getting out to duty on time.

Restorative Practices Training- August 22:

Rob Wells will visit Emory to provide a more in depth training on facilitating Restorative Circles in your classrooms. We will meet 1:45-2:45 room t.b.d. on August 22nd.  

Student Council begins:

Chromebook Survey from Jen Oliveira:

Chromebooks use before school/at lunch:

To avoid damage to devices, Chromebooks may not be used before school or during recess/lunch. Excepting use that is directly supervised by a classroom teacher (in a classroom). Students may visit the library if they need access to technology.

Action Learning Team:

In building the Learner Profile, survey data revealed our colleagues have an interest developing personalized learning for students and adults in South Bay. I encourage you to join the team to study Personalized Learning and build our knowledge.    will we do?

• Study a topic (or two):
  • Inquiry
  • Design Thinking
  • Project/Problem Based Learning
  • Blended Learning
  • Flipped Classrooms
• Visit some places around San Diego county over fall break (if you’re available)
• Talk with experts
• Plan for students

What will you receive?

• Professional Books related to the topic you’re interested in studying
• Out of contract pay for meetings and site visits
• Field trips to places around the county where personalized learning is in full swing

• 2- 3 in person meetings after school to learn (pedagogy and tools) and plan
• 2 Google Hangout meetings after school
• 1 field trip day over Fall Break

CyberSmarts Week:

• District-wide “CyberSmarts Week,” is Aug 27 – Aug 31, 2018.
• CyberSmarts agenda website at http://tinyurl.com/becybersmart  for your classroom instructional planning.
• Please check with your IMRT in the Library about any questions, concerns, or requests for assistance.
• Thank you for helping us keep all South Bay kids safe and ‘cybersmart!’

Fountas and Pinnell Assessment Data entered by August 31:

From the SBUSD Assessment Manual–using Fountas and Pinnell teachers will determine reading level of all students in order to support independent reading at their level. Using Illuminate, report Instructional Level (shows what students are working on) and Independent level, and collect information on accuracy, fluency, comprehension, and genre on Instructional Level. It is ideal to test to Hard in order to ensure students are not actually reading at a higher level. Use of the WORD LIST is not considered a level, and is used to determine a starting point for students without prior scores.

Fountas and Pinnell suggest to start with student choice of genre for each assessment session. Alternate fiction/non-fiction within the session. Next round, allow for student choice again and alternate.

Additional Notes:

A/B Leveled Books:  A/B books are written to teach concepts of print, one-to-one matching and a FEW high frequency  ONLY. When students have concepts of print and one-to-one correspondence, they should be moved into C level books.  A/B books are not intended to be decoded. Please refer to the Fountas and Pinnell Literacy Continuum for specific skills and strategies in each guided reading level.

Testing to Hard

• It is important to not stop testing once you’ve reached a student’s initial instructional level. It is possible a student might be a band of instructional levels. The purpose of testing to Hard is to diagnose the student’s instructional band and what the student IS able to do and what she is NOT YET able to do. Stopping at the first instructional level may hold students back. Digging deeper into the miscues and errors will help uncover where you can support students in small groups.

SBUSD Assessment Document 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SCoIHDelFn8zbGdqxp7kM2riywIF3eV9yrfeEsDJGcI/edit#

Building your Book Baggies/bins:

So many of you have been interested in seeing your Fountas and Pinnell level for your incoming students. Here are some instructions OR a (riveting) video to get into Illuminate to view those results. IMPORTANT NOTES: Make sure you pay close attention the instruction about Enrollment Date AND know that there will most likely be multiple pages. 

WILLIAMS GUIDELINES:

Please see the guidelines below. Let me know if you have any questions or need clarification.

• Hand sanitizer AND handi-wipes that say “keep out of reach of reach of children” must be stored must be stored high or in a locked cabinet.
• Do not use Lysol wipes to clean. These are anti-microbial and should not be used in classrooms.
• Many hand lotions have these same warnings and must be stored accordingly.
• Liquid paper also says “keep out of reach of children” on the label and cannot be left out on teacher’s desk or other places in the classroom.
• Cleaning products must be stored in a locked cabinet not under the sink if it does not lock.
• Power cords cannot be used as permanent outlets and extension cords should not be plugged into power strips.
• Electrical panels must have a clearance of three feet all around. Please do not put any materials in front or around them.
• If you have paper cutters they must be in a locked area and should have a lock on the handle.

Amazon:

As a reminder, the SBUSD purchasing department WILL NOT allow us to reimburse any Amazon purchases.

Ally Counseling Program:

The Ally counseling program is no longer serving children. As soon as I have information about the new partner, I will share the referral process.

Paper Choice:

TK-2 Teachers can expect a box of paper in the near future containing paper choices which would be appropriate for the unit you’re teaching. There will be several choices in the box for students. For the 2018-19 school year, Learning and Innovation will provide a starter box for each unit and if you need more or different we also have an order form you can use to select your choices directly from the print shop. 3-8^th grade teachers might expect similar for different units when appropriate. Please remember processing time at the Print Shop is about 1-2 weeks.

Chromebooks to Home Internet Access:

A limited number of T-Mobile hotspots will be available to each school site for 4^th – 8^thgrade families with no Internet access. Here is a nomination form if you have a student in your class without access at home. PLEASE DO NOT advertise this option, but if you know of a family in your class who needs it, complete the form.

Crayola Marker Recycling Program:

Please help our environment by saving all of your old/used/dry felt tip markers.  Crayola has a program in which they take back markers to reuse/recycle. Let Patty know if you need a basket or box to collect markers. Room 21 will have a box where you can drop them off.  If you would rather have pick up service, please let Patty know and she will send a couple of students over. Thank you Patty! Below are two videos that can be shared with your students.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP4C8GkgLwc&list=PL_4KQM3ba9sB7_EASaLqLADr51KQQ66F7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz_bAHleDlY

Apex Fun Run:

The Apex Campaign has been re-scheduled to September. They were no longer available for the spring dates which we selected. The ONLY dates which they had available are Sept 4-14th. More details to follow. Please email me if you have a preferred time for your daily “Cool Kyle” visit. 

Upcoming Dates:

Dr. McNamara visits classrooms           Aug 15 1:00-1:45

Staff Professional Development            Aug 15

Wixie Training K-2 (optional)                Aug 22

Restorative Practices (optional)             Aug 22

Cybersmarts Week                                    Aug 27-31

Fountas and Pinnell Data entered         Aug 31

PTA Bingo Night                                        September 5

Apex Fun Run                                            Sept 14

Quote of the Week:

Thank you for your hard work. I am exhausted after ten very busy and fun days of school. Get some rest and enjoy yourself this weekend!

Staff Meeting:

We DO NOT meet as a staff this week. Our first staff meeting of the school year is Wednesday, August 15th. 

ELD Groups Begin- Thursday August 9th:

As a reminder ELD will be held on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. By Monday morning, Erin will place a copy of your ELD/EO roster in your mail box along with a listing of where your students will go during ELD time. Please prepare yourself and your students. ELD teachers should see Teresa who will provide you with SELD kits.

Paper Choice:

TK-2 Teachers can expect a box of paper in the near future containing paper choices which would be appropriate for the unit you’re teaching. There will be several choices in the box for students. For the 2018-19 school year, Learning and Innovation will provide a starter box for each unit and if you need more or different we also have an order form you can use to select your choices directly from the print shop. 3-8^th grade teachers might expect similar for different units when appropriate. Please remember processing time at the Print Shop is about 1-2 weeks.

Chromebooks to Home Internet Access:

A limited number of T-Mobile hotspots will be available to each school site for 4^th – 8^th grade families with no Internet access. Here is a nomination form if you have a student in your class without access at home. PLEASE DO NOT advertise this option, but if you know of a family in your class who needs it, complete the form.

Crayola Marker Recycling Program:

Please help our environment by saving all of your old/used/dry felt tip markers.  Crayola has a program in which they take back markers to reuse/recycle. Let Patty know if you need a basket or box to collect markers. Room 21 will have a box where you can drop them off.  If you would rather have pick up service, please let Patty know and she will send a couple of students over. Thank you Patty! Below are two videos that can be shared with your students.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP4C8GkgLwc&list=PL_4KQM3ba9sB7_EASaLqLADr51KQQ66F7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz_bAHleDlY

Dr. McNamara’s Visit August 15th @1:00-1:45:

Dr. McNamara plans to visit Emory 6 times this year. She has let Principals know that on each of her visits she plans to visit each classroom. I’m not sure what this will look like on August 15th.

District Writing Day:

District On- Demand Writing Assessment

On Tuesday, August 7^th, we will administer the Narrative On-Demand writing prompt. Please provide 45 minutes to complete this task.  If you have already done an On Demand Narrative Writing assessment in your WUOS, that will suffice.  Scores will not be entered into Illuminate.

The following are the directions and paper choices by grade:

Kindergarten Prompt

2nd Grade Prompt

3-8 Prompt

Kindergarten Paper

1st Grade Paper

2nd Grade Paper

Chromebooks use before school/at lunch:

To avoid damage to devices, Chromebooks may not be used before school or during recess/lunch. Excepting use that is directly supervised by a classroom teacher (in a classroom). Students may visit the library if they need access to technology.

Fountas and Pinnell Assessment Data entered by August 31:

From the SBUSD Assessment Manual–using Fountas and Pinnell teachers will determine reading level of all students in order to support independent reading at their level. Using Illuminate, report Instructional Level (shows what students are working on) and Independent level, and collect information on accuracy, fluency, comprehension, and genre on Instructional Level. It is ideal to test to Hard in order to ensure students are not actually reading at a higher level. Use of the WORD LIST is not considered a level, and is used to determine a starting point for students without prior scores.

Fountas and Pinnell suggest to start with student choice of genre for each assessment session. Alternate fiction/non-fiction within the session. Next round, allow for student choice again and alternate.

Additional Notes:

A/B Leveled Books:  A/B books are written to teach concepts of print, one-to-one matching and a FEW high frequency  ONLY. When students have concepts of print and one-to-one correspondence, they should be moved into C level books.  A/B books are not intended to be decoded. Please refer to the Fountas and Pinnell Literacy Continuum for specific skills and strategies in each guided reading level.

Testing to Hard

• It is important to not stop testing once you’ve reached a student’s initial instructional level. It is possible a student might be a band of instructional levels. The purpose of testing to Hard is to diagnose the student’s instructional band and what the student IS able to do and what she is NOT YET able to do. Stopping at the first instructional level may hold students back. Digging deeper into the miscues and errors will help uncover where you can support students in small groups.

SBUSD Assessment Document 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SCoIHDelFn8zbGdqxp7kM2riywIF3eV9yrfeEsDJGcI/edit#

Building your Book Baggies/bins:

So many of you have been interested in seeing your Fountas and Pinnell level for your incoming students. Here are some instructions OR a (riveting) video to get into Illuminate to view those results. IMPORTANT NOTES: Make sure you pay close attention the instruction about Enrollment Date AND know that there will most likely be multiple pages. 

Ally Counseling Program:

The Ally counseling program is no longer serving children. As soon as I have information about the new partner, I will share the referral process.

Digital Content:

Wixie (TK-2 and ALL SDC)- Wixie Training at Emory–August 22 @1:45 in room 23

Thrively– Students in 4^th through 8^th grade have access to Thrively, a fun way to get to know your students’ strengths. Accounts will be set up shortly. Here’s a Getting Started Guide

• NEW Digital CONTENT–
  • DreamBox Math– information and training will be forthcoming.
  • BrainPop– information coming soon

CyberSmarts Week:

• District-wide “CyberSmarts Week,” is Aug 27 – Aug 31, 2018.
• CyberSmarts agenda website at http://tinyurl.com/becybersmart  for your classroom instructional planning.
• Please check with your IMRT in the Library about any questions, concerns, or requests for assistance.
• Thank you for helping us keep all South Bay kids safe and ‘cybersmart!’

Teachers College Units Sequence:

See below for the Teacher’s College sequence for the 2018-19 school year!

Here is the sequence of units for Reading and Writing.

WILLIAMS GUIDELINES:

Please see the guidelines below. Let me know if you have any questions or need clarification.

• Hand sanitizer AND handi-wipes that say “keep out of reach of reach of children” must be stored must be stored high or in a locked cabinet.
• Do not use Lysol wipes to clean. These are anti-microbial and should not be used in classrooms.
• Many hand lotions have these same warnings and must be stored accordingly.
• Liquid paper also says “keep out of reach of children” on the label and cannot be left out on teacher’s desk or other places in the classroom.
• Cleaning products must be stored in a locked cabinet not under the sink if it does not lock.
• Power cords cannot be used as permanent outlets and extension cords should not be plugged into power strips.
• Electrical panels must have a clearance of three feet all around. Please do not put any materials in front or around them.
• If you have paper cutters they must be in a locked area and should have a lock on the handle.

Amazon:

As a reminder, the SBUSD purchasing department WILL NOT allow us to reimburse any Amazon purchases.

Upcoming Dates:

District Writing Day                                 Aug 7

Dr. McNamara visits classrooms           Aug 15 1:00-1:45

Staff Professional Development            Aug 15

Wixie Training K-2 (optional)                Aug 22

Quote of the Week: